What are The Benefits or Advantages of Cryotherapy?

As an Ottawa, resident you can opt for whole body cryotherapy or just in a single area. You can get the therapy through ice massage, ice packs, ice baths, coolant sprays, or even through probes administered into tissue. The theory for whole body cryotherapy is that submerging the body in extreme cold for a few minutes could get you a number of health benefits. You will need to stand in a small enclosure or an enclosed chamber that surrounds your body but has an opening for your head. You will then have to stay under the low temperatures for about two to four minutes. While you can get the benefits of cryotherapy from just a single session, the therapy is more effective when used regularly. Here are some of the benefits of the therapy.

Numbs nerve irritation

For years, most athletes have been using cryotherapy to treat their injuries and one of the main reasons for this is because cold has the ability to numb pain. As such, the therapy can actually numb an irritated nerve. Doctors treat the affected area by inserting a small probe into the adjacent tissue. This helps with treating pinched neuromas or nerves, acute injuries, or even chronic pain.

Could help treat low-risk tumors

Cancer is a dangerous disease and most people would rather use a non-invasive method to get rid of tumors. Localized, targeted therapy can be useful in treating cancer. In such context, doctors refer to it as cryosurgery. It works by freezing cancer cells and surrounding them with ice crystals. Currently, doctors are using the method to treat low-risk tumors for particular types of cancer such as prostate cancer.

Reduction of migraine symptoms

If you suffer from migraines, cryotherapy can treat the condition by numbing and cooling the nerves in the neck area. Research studies reveal that applying a neck wrap that contains frozen ice packs to the carotid arteries considerably reduces migraine pains in those tested. The therapy works by cooling the blood passing through intracranial vessels. The carotid arteries are easily accessible due to their close proximity to the surface of the skin.

Reduction of arthritic pain

Localized cold treatment is not the only thing that is effective in treating serious conditions. Research shows that whole body cryotherapy considerably reduced pain in people suffering from arthritis because it found that the treatment got better tolerance. It also facilitated more aggressive physiotherapy and occupational therapy as a result. This made rehabilitation programs more effective in the end.

Treat mood disorders

The extremely cold temperatures in whole body cryotherapy can cause physiological hormonal responses. This includes the release of endorphins, noradrenaline, and adrenaline. This can have a positive effect on those going through mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. One study indicates that whole body cryotherapy is actually effective in short-term treatment for both.

Prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia

Theory has it that cryotherapy could help treat certain kinds of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease even though, more research is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of the strategy. The cold therapy may be an effective form of treatment due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. It could help fight the inflammatory and oxidative stress responses that come with Alzheimer’s disease.

Treatment of atopic dermatitis and other skin conditions

Atopic dermatitis is a continuing inflammatory skin disease with signature symptoms of itchy and dry skin. Since cryotherapy can increase antioxidant levels in the blood, it can also reduce inflammation. It makes sense that both whole body and localized cryotherapy can help treat atopic dermatitis.

The side effects of cryotherapy include redness, tingling, and irritation of the skin, which are all bearable. These are also temporary so there is no reason why you should not try the therapy in Ottawa. You should never use cryotherapy for longer than recommended which is no more than four minutes to avoid adverse effects.